Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

In May 1948, Israel declared its independence. Palestinians such as Hafida Khatib refer to this moment as the "Nakba" (catastrophe). Hafida and her family fled to Lebanon, a country that has never felt like home. Diana Hodali reports from Burj el-Barajneh south of BeirutRead more

Gaza protests

For several days, major rioting at the ongoing campaign of protests by Palestinians overshadowed celebratory events in Israel marking the 70th anniversary of the state's foundation. As a result of the deadly clashes, there have been increasingly vociferous calls around the world for an independent inquiry. By Inge GüntherRead more

Poetry anthology: Fady Joudah's "Footnotes in the Order of Disappearance"

At a time when we have almost become accustomed to the poetry of witness, recounting either events or a poet's reaction to them, the latest anthology by acclaimed Palestinian-American poet and physician Fady Joudah cuts deeper, with appropriately surgical precision, to reveal the connections beneath the surface of things. By Marcia Lynx QualeyRead more

Afghan director Salim Shaheen

Making films in a country that has been torn apart by years of war and occupation is truly a tall order, but this is what Salim Shaheen has done – over 100 times. For many, Shaheen is Afghanistan's answer to Steven Spielberg. A new documentary shines a spotlight on the zero-budget filmmaker and his films. By Jochen Kurten Read more

Politics

For several days, major rioting at the ongoing campaign of protests by Palestinians overshadowed celebratory events in Israel marking the 70th anniversary of the state's foundation. As a result of the deadly clashes, there have been increasingly vociferous calls around the world for an independent inquiry. By Inge GüntherMore

The recent elections in Iraq mark a dramatic turning point in the countryʹs political fortunes. New party alliances – in particular the Sairun list led by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr – have emerged victorious from the polls. Birgit Svensson reports from BaghdadMore

By pulling out of the nuclear deal with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has played into the hands of Tehranʹs hardliners. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is now under pressure to salvage the agreement with its European signatories and prevent an escalation in the region. Commentary by Ulrich von SchwerinMore

Neither international politics nor the self-healing powers within the United States system of government seem to be able to prevent an American war against Iran. It may now only be the civil societies of Iran and Israel that are still in a position to do this, says Stefan Buchen More

Society

In May 1948, Israel declared its independence. Palestinians such as Hafida Khatib refer to this moment as the "Nakba" (catastrophe). Hafida and her family fled to Lebanon, a country that has never felt like home. Diana Hodali reports from Burj el-Barajneh south of BeirutMore

In France, the publication of a manifesto that calls among other things for the removal of certain verses from the Koran and seeks to pave the way for state intervention in religious matters has triggered heated debate. Farid Hafez has the detailsMore

Seventy years after the founding of the State of Israel, Lizzie Doron, author of "Who the Fuck is Kafka?", which traces the unlikely friendship of an Israeli and a Palestinian, walks through her evolving feelings over the years regarding 14 MayMore

Culture

Making films in a country that has been torn apart by years of war and occupation is truly a tall order, but this is what Salim Shaheen has done – over 100 times. For many, Shaheen is Afghanistan's answer to Steven Spielberg. A new documentary shines a spotlight on the zero-budget filmmaker and his films. By Jochen Kurten More

At a time when we have almost become accustomed to the poetry of witness, recounting either events or a poet's reaction to them, the latest anthology by acclaimed Palestinian-American poet and physician Fady Joudah cuts deeper, with appropriately surgical precision, to reveal the connections beneath the surface of things. By Marcia Lynx QualeyMore

Palestinian Sliman Mansour is known as the "artist of the Intifada". Sarah Judith Hofmann spoke to him about 70 years of Israel, the daily passing of checkpoints and the symbolism of the dove of peaceMore

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Lajpat Nagar is a district in southern New Delhi. When it was built in the 1950s, it was mainly Sikhs and Hindus from the newly created Pakistan who came to live there, having been forced to move from their former homes after the partition of India in 1947. Yet in recent years, the area has increasingly become a magnet for Afghan refugees looking to start over. Photo essay by Emran Feroz

A Ramadan etiquette guide for non-Muslims

There are 7 billion people in the world. And a full 22% of them – 1.6 billion – are fasting from sunup to sundown. Every day. For an entire month. It's Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. But what if you're not a Muslim – just a caring, considerate person. What should you do to ensure you don't come across as insensitive…More

Fasting during Ramadan: Too much of a good thing

Ramadan is like Islam as a whole: from a distance, people are scared of it. But close up, it′s wonderful. If only it weren′t for an uncomprehending majority on one side, and the pious hard-core fasters on the other. By Anja HilscherMore

Pastor Galen Guengerich: Averting more death and despair in Gaza

Scores of Palestinians killed. Thousands wounded. That’s the toll exacted by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) against protesters along the security fence separating Gaza from Israel in recent weeks. Unless the situation gets defused quickly, the carnage is likely to get much worse, writes Galen GuengerichMore

Al Jazeera: Life in Gaza

Businesses in the Gaza Strip have long been struggling under an Israeli blockade. Many are barely able to keep their operations afloat - with some forced to close due to lack of supplies and other difficulties. Now, a new cartoon by an Israeli rights group tells the reality facing one business.More

The wrong story: Palestine, Israel and the media

Greg Shupak's new book is a highly relevant and necessary account of how the media is feeding us the wrong story on Israel and Palestine, writes Sophia Akram.More